Artist's Biography
Q. What got you started in sewing?
A. My grandmother. I remember spending some summers at her house. She gave me remnants of cloth to make clothes for dolls in the toy chest. I made a whole ensemble for my aunt's rag doll.
Q. When did you start sewing seriously?
A. Around 1992... I was a junior in high school. My dad bought me my very first sewing machine. It was a Singer. I started making Halloween costumes for myself and later for friends in school.
Q. What about dolls?
A. I'm not sure why I started making dolls. I recall very early baby dolls I made. After high school I got into anime and started making "plushies." Basically they are rag dolls that are dressed up to look like certain characters.
A couple of years ago I became curious about "soft sculpture" because a cotton batting packaging mentioned that the product was perfect for "soft sculpture." I looked it up and it looked like a lot of work. I decided I wanted to make an Ozma of Oz doll. But limited to a rag doll background it just didn't seem possible.
Then I came across an issue or Soft Dolls and Animals. I was inspired by what I saw and how other doll artists problem solved to create anatomy out of fabric. The way I do hands was inspired by Ute Vasina's troll, Otto. The way the thumb attaches to the fingers gives it the depth I was looking for to create my dream Ozma doll.
Q. Are you still working on your Ozma doll?
A. Ozma will be from Giselda's pattern. Actually... Giselda is Ozma... just with different clothes.
Q. What inspires you?
A. Mythology. My first doll, Baldwin, is a fawn. Giselda is an elf. I have plans to make a male elf and other fantastical creatures. A unicorn should be included as well as a dragon.
Q. Any last thoughts?
A. When I'm creating a face for a doll, it's like they are staring back at you. They know that you're their creator. Their eyes lock on yours and you can see their soul. It's really quite thrilling.
Gretchen Wilburn ~ Night Garden Studios © 2004-2005